So we obviously need another center. For whatever reason, GMMG hasn't figured out a trade for Lu that will bring one back, and likely won't happen until the off-season.These fill-ins at center; Higgins, Raymond, Burrows are just ketting killed in the face off.There is a chance that Shroeder will develop into (at least) a 3rd line center, but looks like he's not there yet.Ebbett can't seem to develop much offence.Unless we can get a trade for a bona fide center who can pinch hit for Kes this year, we need a Plan B (or C or D... )

So is there a rental out there that we could get cheap, from a team out of the playoffs?Should also be a UFA at years end, due to our Cap issues

What about Mike Ribeiro from the Craps?If Tim Connoly for example was available for next to nothing, would we take him?

I know these guys have some detractors, but would they be a better option than Ebbett?

Zamboni Driver wrote:So is there a rental out there that we could get cheap, from a team out of the playoffs?Should also be a UFA at years end, due to our Cap issues

You only buy rentals if you think they will clinch you the cup, not to squeak into the first round.

We're not there and we're not close.

As to selling rentals, well, I think MG should be seriously looking at doing just that. The cupboard is bare, might as well be a seller (without having to blow up the team), especially those players who aren't finding success here (Ballard, Booth) or who will leave. I don't think you can look at this team and genuinely think we're going to win the cup this year.

There are a couple of players I'd be interested in who are signed past this year (Marcel Goc) or restricted free agents (Shawn Matthias) but once you get into that territory you have to give up something actually worthwhile. Since they can contribute next year too, maybe that is the way to go.. but it depends on the price.

There are a couple of players I'd be interested in who are signed past this year (Marcel Goc) or restricted free agents (Shawn Matthias) but once you get into that territory you have to give up something actually worthwhile. Since they can contribute next year too, maybe that is the way to go.. but it depends on the price.

Goc and Matthias will be good additions. What about Dubinsky? Ballard + a pick for Dubinsky?

Royaldude would hate the fact that he is a two-way player but he'd fit in well here, he can play center or the wing which gives us either a solid backup for Ryan Kesler in the event of an injury, three very strong lines with Sedin/Kesler/Dubinsky down the middle or one hell of a tenacious second line with Dubinsky and Kesler with whoever.

That being said I don't see why the Blue Jackets would be looking for a reclamation project on the blueline in Keith Ballard, their organizational depth is stacked with defensemen and they already have a couple of freelancers on the blueline in Johnson and Wisniewsky.

Before he was hurt I fancied that the BJs might be interested in moving BD for David Booth, who is ostensibly a first liner (on bad teams). That's probably wishful thinking anyway, and even if it wasn't that ship has now sailed.

Royaldude would hate the fact that he is a two-way player but he'd fit in well here, he can play center or the wing which gives us either a solid backup for Ryan Kesler in the event of an injury, three very strong lines with Sedin/Kesler/Dubinsky down the middle or one hell of a tenacious second line with Dubinsky and Kesler with whoever.

That being said I don't see why the Blue Jackets would be looking for a reclamation project on the blueline in Keith Ballard, their organizational depth is stacked with defensemen and they already have a couple of freelancers on the blueline in Johnson and Wisniewsky.

Before he was hurt I fancied that the BJs might be interested in moving BD for David Booth, who is ostensibly a first liner (on bad teams). That's probably wishful thinking anyway, and even if it wasn't that ship has now sailed.

Based on the stats alone, Booth is overpaid. However, he brings a few things that the Canucks are lacking, grit and willingness to crash the net with speed. I would rather keep him than trading him (of course, RD has a different opinion).

If Aquallini is willing to buyout Ballard this offseason, why can't MG waive him now? If another team picks him for nothing, so be it. Ballard is not properly used here anyway. He will never be unless AV is gone. With the $4.2m cap space, MG might be able to get Dubinsky with a prospect and a high pick.

Royaldude would hate the fact that he is a two-way player but he'd fit in well here, he can play center or the wing which gives us either a solid backup for Ryan Kesler in the event of an injury, three very strong lines with Sedin/Kesler/Dubinsky down the middle or one hell of a tenacious second line with Dubinsky and Kesler with whoever.

That being said I don't see why the Blue Jackets would be looking for a reclamation project on the blueline in Keith Ballard, their organizational depth is stacked with defensemen and they already have a couple of freelancers on the blueline in Johnson and Wisniewsky.

Before he was hurt I fancied that the BJs might be interested in moving BD for David Booth, who is ostensibly a first liner (on bad teams). That's probably wishful thinking anyway, and even if it wasn't that ship has now sailed.

Based on the stats alone, Booth is overpaid. However, he brings a few things that the Canucks are lacking, grit and willingness to crash the net with speed. I would rather keep him than trading him (of course, RD has a different opinion).

If Aquallini is willing to buyout Ballard this offseason, why can't MG waive him now. If some teams pick him for nothing, so be it. Ballard is not properly used here and will never be unless AV is gone. With the cap space, MG might be able to get Dubinsky with a prospect and a high pick.

That's a good question except that Ballrd is still depth and what if he cleared waivers? That would tank any idea of a trade in the future and guarantee a buy out as the only option...

Better to keep him unless there's a deal you can't walk away from methinks ?

Royaldude would hate the fact that he is a two-way player but he'd fit in well here, he can play center or the wing which gives us either a solid backup for Ryan Kesler in the event of an injury, three very strong lines with Sedin/Kesler/Dubinsky down the middle or one hell of a tenacious second line with Dubinsky and Kesler with whoever.

That being said I don't see why the Blue Jackets would be looking for a reclamation project on the blueline in Keith Ballard, their organizational depth is stacked with defensemen and they already have a couple of freelancers on the blueline in Johnson and Wisniewsky.

Before he was hurt I fancied that the BJs might be interested in moving BD for David Booth, who is ostensibly a first liner (on bad teams). That's probably wishful thinking anyway, and even if it wasn't that ship has now sailed.

Based on the stats alone, Booth is overpaid. However, he brings a few things that the Canucks are lacking, grit and willingness to crash the net with speed. I would rather keep him than trading him (of course, RD has a different opinion).

If Aquallini is willing to buyout Ballard this offseason, why can't MG waive him now. If some teams pick him for nothing, so be it. Ballard is not properly used here and will never be unless AV is gone. With the cap space, MG might be able to get Dubinsky with a prospect and a high pick.

That's a good question except that Ballrd is still depth and what if he cleared waivers? That would tank any idea of a trade in the future and guarantee a buy out as the only option...

Better to keep him unless there's a deal you can't walk away from methinks ?

Unless Booth, Malhotra, and/or Kesler are/is on LTIR, the Canucks need cap space to get a decent third line centre. Ballard's $4.2m cap hit might be a good start.

dbr wrote:There are a couple of players I'd be interested in who are signed past this year (Marcel Goc) or restricted free agents (Shawn Matthias) but once you get into that territory you have to give up something actually worthwhile. Since they can contribute next year too, maybe that is the way to go.. but it depends on the price.

I think Matthias would've been relatively cheap in the off-season when I was including him in most of my Lou trades.